WQCSD0534_Inspection_20230424 (2)

Permit: WQCSD0534
SOC:
County: Pender
Region: Wilmington
Compliance Inspection Report
Effective: 03/01/00 Expiration: Owner : Aqua North Carolina Inc
Effective: Expiration: Facility: Castle Bay Deemed Collection System
Contact Person: Joel A Mingus
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications:
Primary ORC:
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Title: Coastal Area Manager
Certification:
Related Permits:
WQ0018755 Aqua North Carolina Inc - Castle Bay WWTP
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Entry Time 03:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Tyler G Benson
Secondary Inspector(s):
Phone: [phone]
Phone:
Exit Time: 04:OOPM
Phone: [phone]
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Deemed permitted collection system management and operation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions General Grease Control
Spills/Response Plan Pump Stations
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

Permit: WQCSD0534 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On April 24, 2023, staff from AQUA North Carolina Inc (Joel Mingus, Emily Phillips, and Michael Cowell) and DWR Water
Quality Regional Operations Section (WQROS) (Tyler Benson and Morella Sanchez King) met at the Castle Bay Subdivision
for the WQROS to perform this year's routine Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Castle Bay Deemed Collection
System, Permit No. WQCSD0534. Compliance requirements of this system include the conditions specified in Permit
WQ0019259, 15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 Permitting by Regulation (deemed permitted systems- WQCSD0534), and Permit
WQ0035368.
Permit WQ0019259 includes the continued operation of a pressure collection system consisting of 304 40-GPM simplex
grinder pump stations, pressure sewers, and related appurtenances, located on homeowner properties, and one (1) 98-GPM
duplex pump station, force main, and related appurtenances located at the Castle Bay's amenity center. Permit
WQ0035368 includes the construction and operation of a low-pressure sewer system extension one (1) simplex grinder
pump station and related appurtenances. Condition 3 in both permits requires that "the wastewater collection facilities shall
be properly maintained and operated at all times". Additionally, the facility shall comply with the requirements for deemed
permitted systems (15A NCAC 02T 0.0403).
AQUA stated that they do not have legal access onto homeowner properties for system inspections, nor the CASTLE Bay's
Amenity Center, and consequently, WQROS did not have access to perform the inspection to evaluate compliance. On
inspection day, WQROS discussed with AQUA the requirements listed in rule 15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 and requested to
provide evidence of meeting the criteria of this rule. As a follow-up to the inspection, on May 5, 2023, the WQROS
requested via e-mail the following records for the last 3 years, according to the 2T .0403 rule.
• An Operation and Maintenance plan including pump station inspection frequency, preventative maintenance, spare parts
inventory, and overflow response procedure.
- AQUA provided a general SOP for Sanitary Sewer Overflows for AQUA collection systems and restated that it does not own
or operate any pump stations in this collection system.
• ORC log of pump station inspections.
- AQUA restated that it does not own or operate any pump stations in this collection system.
• Annual general observation of the entire collection system.
- AQUA explained that the AQUA operator is in the neighborhood 5x per week for both the wastewater treatment plant, and
the water system required visitation. Additionally, he visits all the dead ends on annual flushing of hydrants and observes
the entire system at that time— it is worth noting that neither the WWTP nor the water system are the subject of this
inspection.
Overflows and bypass reports.
- AQUA stated that there have been no reportable incidents in the past 3 years from the collection system that Aqua owns
and operates.
• Evidence of the Grease Control Program being implemented.
- AQUA provided a general copy of a FOG notice and information on social media.
In its responses above, AQUA persisted that they do not own or operate any pump stations in this collection system.
Permits W00019259 and WQ0035368 indicate that AQUA does own and should operate the system with all its components
and consequently, the facility is out of compliance. Therefore, a Notice of Violation with Intent to Assess will be issued
following the criteria below:
• No Operation and Maintenance plan is being implemented [15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 (a)(3)]
• Simplex and Duplex Pump Stations are not being maintained nor inspected [15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 (a)(4)]
• No records provided for annual collection system observation [15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 (a)(6)]
• Permittee does not have legal access to system components for personnel and equipment accessibility [[15A NCAC
Page 2 of 6

Permit: WQCSD0534 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
02T 0.0403 (a)(9)]
• No records to provide compliance documentation with applicable regulations and standards [15A NCAC 02T 0.0403 (a)
(10)]
Page 3 of 6

Permit: WQCSD0534 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General
Yes No NA NE
# Is this system a satellite system?
❑
❑ ❑
# If Yes, what is system name or permit number?
Is there a overall sewer system map?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe sizes
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe location
❑ ❑ ❑
# Flow direction
❑
❑ ❑
# Approximate pipe age
❑
❑ ❑
# Pump station ID, location and capacity
❑
❑ ❑
# Force main air release valve location & type
❑
❑ ❑
# Location of satellite connections
❑
❑ ❑
Are system maintenance records maintained?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Comment: System maintenance records are not available. Maintenance activities are unknown.
Grease Control Yes No NA NE
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Website information
For public systems, is there a Grease Control Program via an ordinance/agreement? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, does it require grease control devices at applicable locations? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Spills and Response Action Plan
Yes No NA NE
# Is system free of known points of bypass?
❑
❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
❑
❑ ❑
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
❑
❑ ❑
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
❑
❑ ❑
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented?
❑
❑ ❑
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location?
❑
❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan?
❑
❑ ❑
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 4 of 6

Permit: WQCSD0534 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the plan include:
# 24-hour contact numbers
❑ ❑ ❑
# Response time
❑ ❑ ❑
# Equipment list and spare parts inventory
❑
❑ ❑
# Access to cleaning equipment
❑ ❑ ❑
# Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
❑ ❑ ❑
# Source of emergency funds
❑
❑ ❑
# Site sanitation and cleanup materials
❑ ❑ ❑
# Post-overflow/spill assessment
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There are no records pertaining to any SSOs occurring
within Castle Bay subdivision. It is
unknown if anv have occurred.
Pump Stations
Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
No pump stations were inspected since AQUA stated that they do not have legal access onto homeowner
properties for system inspections, nor the CASTLE Bay's Amenity Center, and consequently, WQROS did not
have access to perform the inspection to evaluate compliance.
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
# Number of vacuum stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
❑
❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
❑
❑ ❑
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
❑
❑ ❑
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the telemetry system functional?
❑
❑ ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
❑
❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
❑
❑ ❑
Pump station identifier?
❑
❑ ❑
# Address?
❑
❑ ❑
Instructions for notification?
❑
❑ ❑
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
❑
❑ ❑
Are audio and visual alarms present?
❑
❑ ❑
Page 5 of 6

Permit: WQCSD0534 Owner - Facility: Aqua North Carolina Inc
Inspection Date: 04/24/2023 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
Comment: As indicated above, WQROS did not have access to perform the inspection to evaluate
compliance.
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